Texas State team wins 2011 SIFE National Championship

The Texas State SIFE team celebrates its national championship on stage at the 2011 SIFE USA National Exposition held in Minneapolis.

The Students in Free Enterprise chapter at Texas State University-San Marcos has been named has been named national champions at the 2011 SIFE USA National Exposition held in Minneapolis.

The Texas State SIFE team won out from a field of regional champion teams representing 3,500 students from 162 colleges and universities. Texas State advances to represent the United States at the 2011 SIFE World Cup, Oct. 3-5, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Drury University of Springfield, Mo., finished second; Flagler University of Saint Augustine, Fla., finished third and Syracuse University of Syracuse, NY, finished fourth. Other universities participating at nationals included the University of Nebraska, the University of Florida, the University of Arizona and the University of Chicago.

“One of the most rewarding parts of the competition is to get an opportunity to test the quality of our free enterprise projects against some of the best university programs in the country,” said Texas State SIFE President Meghan Bergman. “Our team members work hundreds of hours for an entire year for this one shining moment of pride.”

Ben Campbell and Brett Georgulis were the Texas State SIFE presentation team co-captains, and presentation team members were Ben Campbell, Brett Georgulis, David Standefer, Lauren Roig, Sarah Connelly and Amy Parker.

In addition to competition, Texas State SIFE students had the opportunity to interview for jobs and internships from Fortune 500 companies. The Texas State students have had a great deal of success at the national career fair, and many former students are employed throughout the country as a result of their involvement with the SIFE organization.

“It is truly rewarding to see the students hone their talent and skills to produce very high quality work,” said Vicki West, Sam Walton Fellow in Free Enterprise at Texas State and SIFE faculty advisor.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization that brings together the leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business. Founded in 1975, SIFE has active programs on more than 1,500 college and university campuses in 39 countries.

For additional information, contact Vicki West at (512) 658-8816 or email vw03@txstate.edu.